The Fine Gael rebels would like to award their leader a 'GBC'. No, it's not some kind of obscure order of merit - quite the opposite, in fact. They want him 'gone by Christmas'.

But the Taoiseach has no intention of stepping down. Today, on the edge of the Curragh of Kildare, Fine Gael TDs, senators and MEPs gather for their pre-Dáil think-in. Last time they did this, they were far more numerous and full of expectations of future political success.

When they gathered in Adare 12 months ago, there were even private mutterings of going close to an overall majority. There was a deep-seated belief that, though the public did not love the Government which dished out the austerity medicine, voters would reluctantly acknowledge economic recovery and decide to return them.

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